North American Pipeline (NAP) is New Jersey’s premier water and sewer service provider for both the private and public sectors. Founded in 1973 as a sewer cleaning and inspection company, NAP now covers the full spectrum of pipework from traditional sewer repair and stormwater maintenance programs to no-dig trenchless technology pipe rehabilitation. NAP also offers hydro-excavations, open excavation site work, pipe and structure repairs, and installations. Here is a comprehensive guide to sewer repair and replacement services in New Jersey.
Comprehensive Guide to Sewer Repair in NJ - Table of Contents
- What Services Does North American Pipeline Provide?
- What is Trenchless Sewer Repair?
- Is Trenchless Sewer Repair Cheaper Than Open Excavation Repairs?
- When Should You Hire A Sewer Cleaning Service?
- How Often Should a Sewer Line Be Cleaned?
- How Much Does Sewer Cleaning Cost?
- Is Sewer Cleaning A Homeowner’s Responsibility?
- What If Significant Damage Is Discovered During Sewer Cleaning Service?
- Who Is Responsible For Residential Sewer Repairs In NJ?
- How Much Do Residential Sewer Repairs Cost?
- When Should You Consider Sewer Line Replacement In New Jersey?
- How Much Do Sewer Replacement Services Cost?
- What Is The Best Time Of Year For Residential Sewer Service?
- What Should You Do About a Frozen Sewer Line?
- Why Should You Consider a Preventative Sewer Maintenance Program?
What Services Does North American Pipeline Provide?
- Trenchless Sewer Repair
- Infiltration Grouting
- CIPP Mainline Lining
- CIPP Lateral Lining
- CCTV Video Pipe Inspection
- Sewer Cleaning
- Sewer Excavation
- Sewer Line Repair
- Sewer Line Replacement
- Sewer Installation
- Large Diameter Spin Cast Lining
- Manhole Rehabilitation
- Pipeline Inspection
- Pipe Bursting
- Hydro Excavation
- PeraSpray Services
- Hydro Jetting Services
- Residential Sewer Repairs
- Exterior Grease Trap Cleaning
- Slip Lining
- Vacuum Truck Services
- Storm Drain Cleaning
- Sanitary Sewer Services
- Culvert Cleaning
What is Trenchless Sewer Repair?
Trenchless sewer repair is a less invasive repair technique for fixing common buried sewer line problems. Unlike traditional open excavation repairs, trenchless repairs don’t require messy and disruptive excavation to address broken or cracked underground sewer lines.
Common sewer line issues fixed by Trenchless Sewer Line Repair:
- Cracked clay, lead, cast iron, or plastic underground sewer lines
- Corrosion, rust, and deterioration of underground pipes
- Broken sewer lines caused by shifting soil and settling
- Damage caused by tree roots and other vegetation
- Deterioration and aging of underground lines
Is Trenchless Sewer Repair Cheaper Than Open Excavation Repairs?
Digging required by traditional open excavation repairs may damage, destroy, or disrupt existing landscaping, driveways, and structures situated above or near the damaged sewer lines. Oftentimes due to it’s disruptive nature, excavation is a costly and impractical solution for home and business owners undertaking sewer line repairs.
Trenchless Sewer Repairs typically involve a minimal amount of digging and is considered a far less invasive approach to sewer line repairs. The upfront cost of traditional and trenchless sewer repair can be comparable, while the disruptive nature of traditional open excavation can add additional costs on the back end of the project in the form of repairs to disrupted landscaping, concrete, driveway, and surrounding areas.
When Should You Hire A Sewer Cleaning Service?
While you may want to simply have a sewer line cleaning service come for preemptive cleanings to avoid any major issues and minimize any potential property damage, most people will tend to reach out for the service when an issue arises. Some of the common sewer problems a sewer cleaning service deals with include:
- Grease blockages
- Clogged and blocked sewer lines
- Cutting intruding roots
- Removing build up of debris
- Frequent flooding from sewer backup
- Sewer odors
How Often Should a Sewer Line Be Cleaned?
As a solid preventative measure, sewer lines should be cleaned once every eighteen to twenty-two months. If your home has been experiencing frequent problems with your sewer lines, it is recommended that you contact a plumber and schedule a video inspection. If your home is older, the likelihood that an immediate sewer line cleaning would benefit you is very high.
How Much Does Sewer Cleaning Cost?
There is no fixed cost for sewer cleaning, and finding out how much a sewer cleaning job will cost requires diagnosing the extent of buildup within a sewer line. Typically, a sewer cleaning will include a video camera inspection of the inside of the pipes in order to provide an estimate of the cost. On top of the level of buildup, the size of a sewer line will also factor into the final cost of sewer cleaning services.
Is Sewer Cleaning A Homeowner’s Responsibility?
In New Jersey, sanitary sewer cleaning is the responsibility of the township for main sewer lines, but any pipes that are located on private property (meaning the pipes connecting the main line to your home fixture) are your responsibility as the homeowner.
Click here to learn more about who is responsible for sewer lines in New Jersey.
What If Significant Damage Is Discovered During Sewer Cleaning Service?
If significant damage is discovered during a sewer line cleaning, North American Pipeline has the resources available to perform sewer repair and replacement services. If you don’t feel you need a full sewer cleaning but would like to do a sewer line inspection to check for any possible problems, we offer that as a service as well. Broken or cracked sewer lines can become major problems, so it is best to deal with them quickly and easily before they get out of hand.
Who Is Responsible For Residential Sewer Repairs In NJ?
When there is a blockage or break in a pipe in your home, it goes without saying that the responsibility will fall on you, the homeowner, to have it repaired or replaced. However, as the pipes move away from your home, you may not be the responsible party. The best way to find out whether a sewer line is a property owners responsibility or the responsibility of the water company is to reach out to your local government or utility company.
Visit our blog to learn more about who is responsible for sewer line in NJ.
How Much Do Residential Sewer Repairs Cost?
Without looking at the specific damage or work that needs to be done on your sewer lines it isn’t possible to provide a concrete estimate of the cost. When it comes to sewer repair services, the cost will ultimately depend on several factors including:
- Sewer pipe material
- Geographic location, accessibility, and required method of excavation
- Repairing vs replacing
- Extent of repairs
- Complexity of repairs
- Camera inspection
- Cleanup
If traditional excavation is required, it is going to cost more than if the repairs can be accomplished through trenchless repair methods.
Visit our blog to learn more about sewer repair and replacement costs.
When Should You Consider Sewer Line Replacement In New Jersey?
Many common sewer problems can often be resolved through a sewer cleaning or with simple spot repairs. When is it necessary to do a full sewer line replacement? There are a few situations where completely replacing the pipe is the best option.
- Pipe corrosion – Sewer pipes are subject to good old fashioned wear and tear, especially those made of metal. Cast iron pipes are prone to rust.
- Extensive root intrusion – Small root intrusions can sometimes be dealt with via spot repairs, but if your pipe has been overrun with roots, it may be that the best course of action is to replace the pipe entirely.
- Old pipes with material that can fail at any time – Cast iron pipes or clay pipes have their benefits, but can also fail at any moment. If your pipes are made of these materials, it may be time to consider replacing them with a stronger material.
- Misaligned pipe connections and large cracks – If your sewer lines are misaligned or the number of cracks are too high, salvaging the pipe may not be possible.
Many of these problems can be prevented through sewer cleaning services or a preventative maintenance program which can help to pinpoint any potential problems before they occur.
How Much Do Sewer Replacement Services Cost?
Without looking at the specific damage or work that needs to be done on your sewer lines it isn’t possible to provide a concrete estimate of the cost. When it comes to sewer line replacement services, the cost will ultimately depend on several factors including:
- Sewer pipe material
- Geographic location, accessibility, and required method of excavation
- Repairing vs replacing
- Extent of repairs
- Complexity of repairs
- Camera inspection
- Cleanup
If traditional excavation is required, it is going to cost more than if the replacement or repairs can be accomplished through trenchless methods.
Visit our blog to learn more about sewer repair and replacement costs.
What Is The Best Time Of Year For Residential Sewer Service?
In New Jersey, the ground during the winter months can be extremely cold and more difficult to break through. Sewer services can absolutely be provided during the winter and in cases where emergencies arrive, you might not have a choice. However, if you have the option of choosing when to hire a sewer service provider there are times that are good times to do it. Spring, summer, and the early weeks of fall. With the rise of trenchless excavation technology, the winter months are no longer as much of a problem but inclement weather and the cold can still be an issue. With that said, North American Pipeline Services takes pride in being able to provide sewer services whenever you need them, even throughout the winter.
What Should You Do About a Frozen Sewer Line?
Assuming a sewer line is properly installed, freezing should likely not be an issue. Main sewer lines are often installed below the frost line which should keep it safe from freezing temperatures. However, the location of the pipe and the type of soil surrounding it will factor into whether freezing could become an issue. Proper insulation is also important for keeping freezing temperatures from reaching the main line. A professional sewer services team can take a look at your sewer lines and quickly diagnose any areas that could be improved to prevent frozen sewer lines from happening in the future.
Why Should You Consider a Preventative Sewer Maintenance Program?
Many people don’t put much thought into the health of their sewer lines until a problem appears. However, many common sewer line backup problems can be prevented with regular preventative maintenance. While some sewer clogs are unpredictable, certain things like root damage are easy to predict. Roots are alive and grow slowly over time. During maintenance, if it becomes clear that root damage could be a problem in the future, we have the tools and equipment necessary to avoid this issue.